Link: http://www.columbusdispatch.com/features-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/10/07/20061007-D1-01.html
CONCERT REVIEW BARBRA STREISAND
Singular sensation
The diva touches past, present glories in impressive fashion
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Barbara Zuck
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
* The Hot Issue: Did you attend the concert? What's your review?
Streisand’s dress and voice shimmer onstage.
Barbra Streisand begins her concert with Starting Here, Starting Now
In an age of instant, throw-away celebrity, true entertainment royalty is getting hard to come by. Columbus received a visit from the queen last night, as Barbra Streisand — looking and sounding every bit the aristocrat — played a packed Value City Arena on the second stop of an extensive American tour, her first in 12 years.
Dressed in a long black sequined gown and 4-inch spiked heels, Streisand dominated both halves of the more than 2 1 /2-hour show.
The arena had a retro look — configured like a giant nightclub, with long, tiered, lighted runways extending well out into the hall and surrounding a full symphony orchestra. A small table with a vase of flowers was placed front and center, and after Streisand came onstage — lifted via a small elevator smack into the middle of a spotlight — she worked this part of the stage, closest to her adoring audience.
"Hello, Columbus," Streisand yelled — as fans screamed "We love you!" back. Then she immediately launched into an upbeat version of Starting Here, Starting Now. The familiar and distinctive voice may have sounded a bit husky at first, but not for long. By the time she got to her third song, the show-stopping The Way We Were, both Streisand and the crowd were well-warmed up.
Streisand certainly gave the outward appearance of polished elegance. But there were amusing reminders of the "funny girl" who started her career playing comedienne Fanny Brice. Moving to the piano at one point, she tried to play a song she had written when she was in her 20s, hit a wrong note, and said, "Oh, s---!" much to crowd’s delight.
Later, she took her shoes off and strode the stage in stocking feet. She made no secret of her need for either reading glasses or the teleprompters placed strategically around the hall — so obvious even some of the crowd could read along. It gave the show a kind of homey feel.
The trip down memory lane took a sharp step back into the present, however, one many in the audience must have been waiting for. As Streisand began the first lines of her song Evergreen, the four young men known as Il Divo appeared behind her — to more cheers from the crowd.
Il Divo and La Diva blended voices beautifully in selections on both halves, and one wished they had sung a few more tunes together. Women in the audience of a certain age no doubt appreciated the way Streisand turned the stereotypical generation gap on its ear, surrounding herself with handsome men probably about half her age.
The four amigos sang on their own on both halves. Four handsome men in tuxedos crooning in foreign languages. Who said romance is dead?
After a long set of ballads at the top of the second half, Streisand threw out an unexpected curve — a visit from President Bush (impersonator Steve Bridges). As a well-known supporter of liberal causes, the singer couldn’t resist a few very light punches at the current administration. Bridges, by the way, has the Dubya down pat, but the bit went on too long.
La Diva and Il Divo finished with a nod toward Leonard Bernstein — a gorgeous rendition of Somewhere from West Side Story.
Streisand is a singular and amazingly accomplished artist. She’s been successful and lauded in two arenas — film and music. She once called herself "an actress who sings."
Better "a singer who acts." It won’t be "the laughter we remember." It’ll be the voice.
bzuck@dispatch.com
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Meagan Day Review
Hey Matt! Just wanted to let you know that Barbra did NOT sing "Woman in the Moon" at the Columbus Show. Here's just some little tidbits that I thought I'd share with you....
~ Barbra wore the same two outfits she wore in Philly, the sailor dress and the black dress with the gold earrings and gold necklace. She looked absolutely amazing! Loved the outfits!!
~ She said that she heard that here in Ohio you guys have a thing where if I say "OHI", you guys say "O." But, that was wrong, so someone in the
audience told her and she figured it out. She then yelled "O-H" and the audience yelled back "I-O."
~ She played "Lost Inside of You" on the piano, at one point messing up, and said "Shit!" That got a lot of laughter. She then sang "Ma Premiere Chanson."
~ She asked the audience after the first song of Act 2 if we minded if she took off her shoes. Of course, we didn't care. So, the entire 2nd act she was barefoot.
~ She brought Sammie after the encore, and returned once again after the encore (because the audience was going crazy!) and finished with "Smile."
~ She was very loose and comfortable, and very appreciative of the love from the audience.
~ The show was phenomenal and I am still in shock. It's just now hitting me that I saw Barbra Streisand Live. Thank God I have two more shows in NYC to take it all in.
Barbra Streisand Setlist Oct.6th Ohio
Act One
Funny Girl (Broadway) Overture
Starting Here, Starting Now
Down With Love
The Way We Were
Come Rain or Come Shine
Ma Premiere Chanson
Evergreen (with Il Divo)
Streisand left the stage and Il Divo did 3 numbers:
(a) Unchained Melody
(b) Don't Break My Heart
(c) My Way (dedicated to Barbra)
Funny Girl Section:
Don't Rain on My Parade
Funny Girl (film version)
The Music That Makes Me Dance (partial)
My Man
People (with "travel single-o" introduction)
Act Two
Bill Ross Entr'acte with musical quotes from Funny Girl, On A Clear Day, Prince of Tides
[Il Divo sang a song to open Act II]
Music of the Night (Barbra & Il Divo)
When The Sun Comes Out
Carefully Taught / Children Will Listen
Unusual Way
What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?
Happy Days Are Here Again (with George Bush impersonator, Steve Bridges)
Have I Stayed Too Long at the Fair?
Cockeyed Optimist (from the musical SOUTH PACIFIC)
Somewhere (with Il Divo)
My Shining Hour (Arlen)
Encore: Don't Rain on My Parade (Broadway reprise lyrics)
Encore: Smile
Next stop is Madison Square Garden New York City for tickets go to http://www.tixx.com
Friday, October 06, 2006
Streisand Tickets Monday in NYC $105.00 each call now
phone 1-800-688-4000 ext. 206 mention the streisand blog for these upperl level seats
Drowsy Chaperone tickets for 10/13 8pm $35.00 call now 800-688-4000
this is a special pring for Balcony seating these seats are sold out at the box office, call us now 1-800-688-4000 for tickets at $35.00
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Streisand Tickets for the Monday & Tuesday show in NYC
www.tixx.com has tickets for both nights, some of the tickets are at face value NO SERVICE CHARGE!....and Friday there is a rumour that you will be able to buy some of the more expensive seats for less than the printed price...A SALE, ON STREISAND TICKETS!...call 1-800-688-4000 and mention this blog for a special deal
Opening Night in Phila. Pa. Stage area is wide open great site lines
the stage is in the form of a figure 8 with the 52 member orchestra below the ramps of the figure 8, make sure to get there on time as Barbra opens the show ! does 5 songs take a break lets Il Divo play for a while then return ...total show time is 2 1/2 hours with an intermission show started at 8:30pm finnished at 11pm
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